The Silence of My Own Thoughts

[lydamorehouse]

Often the question of "do you write to music" comes up on various blogs or lists. A group blog that Other me belongs to called Fangs, Fur & Fey is talking about novel play lists right now. Since one of my books came up in conversation, I thought I'd cross-post my answer here:

I’m just not one of the cool kids, I guess.

I write to the sounds of silence. Part of my problem is that I’m very easily distracted when I write. I’m mildly dyslexic, and so I need all my fearsome skills to stay on target. If a song has lyrics, I find I’d much rather sing along than write my own words, and I can get easily mixed up and muddled by any distractions, even pleasant ones.

Also, another thing that works against me is the time and place that I write. I have a three-year old at home and I’m the “primary caregiver” (read: stay-at-home mom). I often don’t have time to write unless the little guy is asleep for the evening. I’ve also gotten into the habit of writing on my laptop in bed as my partner reads or snoozes beside me. While I have the capability to listen to music on my computer, I never got around to loading anything up.

Before Mason was born and I had a full-time job, I did listen to music for the same reason as Caitlin (to block out inane coworkers). I wrote the third AngeLINK book, Messiah Node, largely to Gin Blossoms and Johnny Lange, though I’m not convinced that either really affected the mood of that novel. Because I used the music to block out other noises and didn’t really listen to the words consciously…. Although I always had to stop and sing along to “Rack ‘em Up,” Johnny Lange’s song about a pool shark, and in particular the line, “Ain’t no shame to be beaten by a master.”

Interestingly, I can’t read with music playing either.

Comments

[tlmorganfield.livejournal.com]

I'm one of those strange folks who can't write unless there's something playing on the speakers, but can't read with music or the television on. It drives me nuts when I'm reading and Jeff comes in the room and switches on the TV. Maybe the music things works for me because it stimulates the brain on deep levels and too it also drowns out background noise, which I find very distracting. For the same reasons I have real difficulty writing in strange places, like out in nature:). I'd always thought writing while out camping would be wonderful, until I actually tried it, and nature and it's "silence" is so madly distracting it's unbelievable. Give me an empty room and a computer, and I will type for hours uninterupted.

[jenwrites.livejournal.com]

You're not alone. I can't read or write with music on either. It's too distracting. I will sometimes read or write to ambient noise, like a CD of a brook in the forest or something, but that's to block out other noises. If my ears can hear words, then my eyes can't concentrate on reading or writing.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I like to write with music on, but only if the music is nonverbal or I don't understand the words. Well, or I know the words well enough that my brain can ignore them. That leaves a lot, though: much classical music, lots of Spanish-language stuff, and early Cocteau Twins.

It's tough to do anything that requires continuous concentration when little kids are in the room. They're so interactive! Good, though.